Teaching machine toy having oral stimuli and oral reinforcers



Jan. 6, 1970 M. E. GOLDEN ET AL TEACHING MACHINE TOY HAVING ORAL STIMULIAND ORAL REINFORCERS Filed July 5.

8 Sheets-Sheet l N. s y N I Z A w W r0540 N p y f0 w EU K r OMV/ r. m GOW 6 aH M MNfi mm hwm M2 M JJ W 1 w z H/w MM 4Tw $1 1 M 11% 3 a mm W; Au W, 3

3 M a M 3 1970 M. E. GOLDEN ET-AL ,487,558

TEACHING MACHINE TOY HAVING ORAL STIMULI AND ORAL REINFORGERS Filed July5. 1967 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 6, 1970 M. E. GOLDEN ETAL 3,487,558

TEACHING MACHINE TOY HAVING ORAL STIMULI AND ORAL REINFORCERS Filed July5, 1967 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Arvin/r025 MICHAEL E GOLDEN J'OA A/ GOETZ JAMESF MU/VO/I JOfl/V [4/ PYA/V JOHN G. TOM/(lA/SO/V or 0% M I 1775051;

Jam 6, 9 M. E. GOLDEN ETAL 3,487,558

TEACHING MACHINE TOY HAVING ORAL STIMULI AND ORAL REINFORCERS Filed July5, 1967 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 /A/ VIM)?! M/C/MEZ E GOLDEN JOHN H. @0572 JAMESF MU/VDAY JOHN W RYAN JOHN GVTOMM/V-SON ITTdP/Vi/S 0& wrw

Jan. 6, 1970 M. E. GOLDEN E'I'AL 3,487,558

TEACHING MACHINE TOY HAVING ORAL STIMULI AND ORAL REINFORCERS Filed July5, 1967 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 MENMW .M W MP2. PW F T um W MWMWW MN $Q QvwwMJMWW NW\\Q\\\RSRA Q N\\ R Q\ w Jan. 6, 1970 M. E. GOLDEN ET AL3,487,558

TEACHING MACHINE TOY HAVING ORAL STIMULI AND ORAL REINFORCERS Filed July5, 196'? s Sheets-Sheet e Alvarrvr:

MIC/445A E GOLDEN JOHN 6 60.672 JZMES FMUA/OAY JOHN W, Pm/V & 1

11111.6 1970 M. E. GOLDEN ETAL 87,558

TEACHING MACHINE TOY HAVING ORAL STIMULI AND ORAL REINFORCERS Filed Jul5, 1967 a Shets-Sheet v Ava-#702: M/CA/AEL 7 GOLDEN JOHN H 607Z JAMES FMONDAY JOHN M EVA/V qw/A/ G TOMK/NSON Jan. 6, 1970 M.- E. GOLDEN ETA'L3,487,558

TEAcHI-NG MACHINE TOY HAVING ORAL STIMULI AND ORAL REINFORCERS FilledJuly 5, 1967 8 Sheets-Sheet R /A/V/V7'F5 MICHAEL E. GOLDEN JOHN H. GOETZJAMES F. MU/VDAY \TOH/V IM PyA/V JOHN G. TOMKl/VSO/V tar/7% MM UnitedStates Patent 3,487,558 TEACHING MACHINE TOY HAVING ORAL STIMULI ANDORAL REINFORCERS Michael E. Golden, Los Angeles, John H. Goetz, ShermanOaks, James F. Munday, South Gate, John W. Ryan, Los Angeles, and JohnG. Tomkiuson, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Calif., assiguors to Mattel, Inc.,Hawthorne, Calif., a corporation of California Filed July 3, 1967, Ser.No. 650,669

Int. Cl. G09b 7/02 U.S. Cl. 35-9 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREGraphic stimuli at least one of which constitutes an appropriateresponse to oral stimuli recorded on a phonograph record positionable inapparatus capable of playing the record to ask a question whenenergized. The graphic stimuli comprise pictures and are provided withan aperture adjacent each picture so that the question may be answeredby probing an aperture. If the correct aperture is selected, acontinuation of the record groove containing the question plays apositive reinforcement. If an incorrect aperture is selected, the tonearm is positioned at another record groove which plays a negativereinforcement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The background of the invention is set forthin two parts.

Field of the invention The present invention pertains generally to thefield of teaching machine toys and more particularly to a simple,inexpensive toy teaching machine having oral stimuli and oralreinforcers provided on recorded-message carrier means.

Description of the prior art Simple, inexpensive toy teaching machinesare known. Such machines include a stimulus in the form of a question, aresponse in the form of some manipulative action on the part of achild-user and a reinforcer inthe form of a bell, a light, a printedcard or the like. If the machine is designed for preschool children whodo not read, the stimulus-question is implicit. For example, when a catcomes into view in a window, the child may select a correct answer bypushing a button having another picture of a cat on it. Reinforcementthen comes by either having yet another picture of a cat come into viewin a window or by having a bell ring or a light flash.

Other prior art machines are designed for children who can read. Thesemachines are capable of asking questions explicitly by displaying themon written cards. Answers may be reinforced by having the machinedisplay another written card or by means of bells or lights.

These prior art machines do have certain disadvantages.

One disadvantage resides in the fact that the correct answer is usuallyin the same position on the machine so that a child may readily memorizethis position and get a correct answer without mastering the question onthe replaceable card or the changeable program.

Another disadvantage resides in the fact that prior art machinestypically have but a single correct answer for a particular questioncausing the child to rapidly lose interest in the machine because hereceives mostly negative reinforcements when he first uses the machineby virtue of the fact that each question has several incorrect answerand only one correct answer.

3,487,558 Patented Jan. 6, 1970 ice SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view ofthe foregoing factors and conditions characteristic of toy teachingmachines, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide anew and useful toy teaching machine no subject to the disadvantagesenumerated above and having oral stimuli and oral reinforcers especiallydesigned for teaching preschool children rapidly and efficiently.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a toy teachingmachine which includes a recorded-message carrier means comprising firstsound track means having an oral, discriminative stimulus recordedthereon, a second sound track means having a positive, oral reinforcerrecorded thereon and third sound track means having a negative oralreinforcer recorded thereon.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a toy of thetype described which includes predetermined stimuli which is both oraland graphic.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a teachingmachine which includes feedback means for giving a user of the device anew, oral, discriminative stimulus following an oral reinforcer.

According to the present invention, a simple, inexpensive toy teachingmachine having oral stimuli and oral reinforcers is provided. The toyincludes sound reproducing means for reproducing recorded sounds. Thesound reproducing means includes a sound pickup means in the form of aphonograph tone arm positionable on a recorded-message carrier means topick up sounds recorded thereon.

The machine also includes a recorded-message carrier means includingfirst sound track means having an oral, discriminative stimulus recordedthereon, second sound track means having a first oral reinforcerrecorded thereon and a third sound track means having a second oralreinforcer recorded thereon. The oral, discriminative stimulus may be inthe form of a question or an instruction to a child-user of the machine.The first oral reinforcer may comprise a positive reinforcement forinforming the child-user of the appropriateness of his response topredetermined stimuli comprising both the oral, discriminative stimulusand a graphic stimulus. The second oral reinforcer constitutes (1) anegative reinforcement for informing the child-user of theinappropriateness of his response to the predetermined stimuli and (2) anew and perhaps more explicit discriminative stimulus to assist thechild in making an appropriate response when the same question ispresented again.

The toy also includes means for presenting the graphic stimulus in theform of a plurality of graphic portions including at least oneappropriate response and at least one inappropriate response throughwhich the child-user responds to the oral, discriminative stimulus bymaking a response involving discrimination including the selection of atleast one of the graphic portions. The means for presenting the graphicstimulus may comprise a jacket for the recorded-message carrier meanswhich may conveniently comprise a phonograph record. The jacket ispositionable on the teaching machine and includes an aperture adjacenteach graphic portion. These apertures may be probed by a sensng meansfor sensing a suitable response.

The machine also includes means responsive to the sensing means forcausing the pickup means to pick up the sounds from one of the oralreinforcers. These responsive means comprise a first connecting meansconnecting the pickup means to the second sound track when the usersenses an appropriate response and second connecting means connectingthe pickup means to the third sound track when the user senses aninappropriate response.

. The features of the present invention which are believed'to be novelare set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The presentinvention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, togetherwith further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood byreference to the following description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to likeelements in the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of atoy teaching machine constituting a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged, plan view of the machine of FIGURE 1 with thetop panel thereof broken away to show internal construction and with theelectrical circuits thereof shown somewhat schematically;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, perspective view of the machine of FIGURE 1with portions of the top and side panels thereof broken away to showinternal construction;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged, partial perspective view showing details ofconstruction of an indexing mechanism used in the machine of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged, cross-sectional View taken along line 5-5 ofFIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged, partial cross-section view taken along line 66of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged, plan view of a recordedmessage carrier used inthe machine of FIGURE 1 with parts broken away to show an electricalswitch and its associated actuating mechanism;

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of the recorded-message carrier of FIGURE 7schematically showing a plurality of sound tracks provided thereon;

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view, with parts broken away to show internalconstruction, of a machine constituting a second embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGURE 10 is an exploded, schematic view showing an electrical circuitand a recorded-message carrier used in the machine shown in FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a plan view, with parts broken away to show internalconstruction, of a teaching machine constituting a third embodiment .ofthe present invention;

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken along line 1212 ofFIGURE 11; and

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view taken along line13-13 of FIGURE 11;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring again to the drawingsand more particularly to FIGURES 1-8, a simple, inexpensive toy teachingmachine constituting a first embodiment of the present invention,generally designated 10, includes a sound reproducing means 12 forreproducing sounds recorded on a recorded-message carrier means 14. Therecordedmessage carrier means 14 may have one or more sound bandsprovided thereon and is shown herein for purposes of illustration, butnot of limitation, as being provided with three sound bands 16, 18 and20. The sound band 16 is shown schematically in FIGURE 8 as beingrepresentative of all three sound bands and includes first, second andthird sound track means 22, 24, and 26.

The hird sound track means 26 cons u es a c n inuation of the firsttrack means 22 forming a composite track means which is interleaved withthe second track means 24. The first track means 22 has an oral,discriminative stimulus recorded thereon having a point of beginning 28at the outer periphery of sound band 16 and a terminus 30 lying 180around sound band 16 from the point of beginning 28. The terminus 30also constitutes the point of beginning for the third sound track means26 which, in-turn, has a terminus 32 lying on the inner periphery ofsound band 16 180 away from the terminus 30 radially inwardly from thepoint of beginning 28. The second sound track means 24 has a first oralreinforcer recorded thereon for informing a user of toy 10 of theappropriateness of his response to predetermined stimuli and has a pointof beginning 34 positioned on the outer periphery of sound band 16 180away from the point of beginning 28 and radially outwardly from theterminus 30. The third sound track means 26 has a second oral reinforcerrecorded thereon for informing the user of the toy 10 of theinappropriateness of his response to the predetermined stimuli. Thispredetermined stimuli comprises the oral, discriminative stimulusrecorded on the first sound track means 22 and a graphic stimulus 36printed on a page 38 of a book 40 having two additional pages 42 and 44.The pages 38, 42 and 44 each have a different graphic stimulus which isappropriate for the oral stimulus recorded on a sound track 22 for onlyone of the sound bands 16, 18 and 20. The graphic stimulus 36 may have aplurality of portions, such as the four portions 46, 48, 50 and 52 shownherein for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation. The graphicportions include at least one appropriate response and at least oneinappropriate response to the oral, discriminative stimulus recorded onan applicable first sound track means 22. The graphic portions 46, 48,50 and 52 constitute means through which the user of toy 10 responds tothe oral, discriminative stimulus by making a response involvingdiscrimination including the selection of at least one of the graphicportions. This selection may be made with a sensing means 54 having aprobe 56 engageable in an aperture 58 provided in book 40 adjacent eachportion of the graphic stimulus 3-6.

The toy 10 also includes a means, generally designated 60, which isresponsive to the sensing means 54 for causing a suitable pickup means62 to pick up the sounds from one of the oral reinforcers. Theresponsive means 60 comprises a first energizing means 64 operativelyassociating the pickup means 62 with the second sound track 24 when theuser senses an appropriate response and a second energizing means 66(FIGURE 2) operatively associating the pickup means 62 with the thirdsound track 26 when the user senses an inappropriate response.

The pickup means 62 forms part of the sound reproducing means 12 andincludes a tone arm 68 having a first end 70 pivotally connected to anindexing arm 72 and a second end 74 which carries a depending phonographneedle 76 and an upstanding cylindrical member 78. Sonic vibrations fromthe needle 76 are transmitted to a speaker cone 80 throughthecylindrical member 78 and a similar cylindrical member- 82 carried bythe speaker cone 80. The speaker cone 80 is carried by a swingable lever84 which is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends 86 and 88 by a pivotpin 89 connecting lever 84 to a bracket 90 carried by the indexing arm72. The cylindrical member 82 is biased into engagement with thecylindrical member 78 by a compression spring 92 having a first end 94hearing against indexing arm 72 and a second end 96 bearing against theend 86 of lever 84. The spring 92 also maintains the needle 76 in properengagement with the recorded-message carrier means 14 and may beovercome by a first lifting lever 98 which forms part of the responsivemeans 60 and which includes a curved end 100 extending overrecorded-message carrier means 14 and a straight end 102 extending underthe end 88 of lever 84. The spring 92 may also be overcome by a secondlifting lever 104 having a first end 106 positioned under end 88 oflever 84 and a second end 108 extending into operative association witha slot 110 provided in an actuating button 112. The first lifting lever98 is pivotally connected to a bracket 114 by a pivot pin 116 and isswung to lift lever 84 when a plate 118 (forming part of the responsivemeans 60) is depressed by probe 56. The bracket 114 is afiixed to anupstanding member 119 having a first end 120 affixed to the indexing arm72 and a second end 122 supporting a first end 123 of an arcuate member124 having a second end 126 supported by an upstanding member 128carried by the indexing arm 72. The second lifting lever 104 isswingably mounted on indexing arm 72 by a pivot pin 130 having its endsengaged in a pair of upstanding lu-gs 132, 134 which are carried by theindexing arm 72. When lever 84 is lifted, a return spring 136 (formingpart of the first energizing means 64) swings tone arm 68 in acounterclockwise direction about its mounting pin 138, as viewed inFIGURE 4, to position needle 76 over the outer periphery of whicheversound band is beneath indexing arm 72. This will position needle 76 toplay either the first sound track means 22 or the second sound trackmeans 24, depending on the rotated position of the recorded-messagecarrier means 14. The actuating button 112 is associated wth means to behereinafter described in detail which preclude the playing ofrecorded-message carrier means 14 unless starting point 28 of soundtrack means 22 is in position under needle 76. Plate 118 and liftinglever 98 are operatively associated with means to be hereinafterdescribed which prevent playing of recorded-message carrier means 14unless starting point 34 of sound track means 24 is in playing positionbeneath needle 76 when it is returned by swinging lever 98 to liftspeaker cone 80 from tone arm 68.

The toy includes a housing 140 having a bottom wall 142, a pair of endwalls 144, 146, a pair of side walls 148, 150 and a top wall 152. Thetop wall 152 is provided with a rectangular opening 154 which may beclosed by a removable, top panel 156 which may be sup ported in opening154 by a peripheral ledge 158. The panel 118 is supported in housing 140by a pair of arms 160, 162 each having an end 164 pivotally connected tobottom wall 142 by a pivot pin 166 and a bracket 168. The other end 170of each arm 160, 162 is provided with an elongated slot 172 receiving anassociated crank finger 174 carried by a crank 176 rotatably connectedto bottom wall 142 by a pair of bushings 178, 180. The weight of plate118 is relieved from lifting lever 98 by a compression spring 182 havinga first end 184 seated on a cylindrical boss 186 provided on bottom wall142 and an upper end 188 seated on a cylindrical boss 190 depending fromplate 118.

A template 192 is reciprocally mounted in housing 140 between top panel156 and plate 118 on a pair of parallel ways 194, 196 (FIGURE 3)extending inwardly from side walls 150, 148, respectively. The template192 is provided with a plurality of apertures 198 through which accessmay be had to plate 118 by probe 56, providing an aperture 58 in book 40is aligned with an aperture 198 in template 192. This alignment may becontrolled by sliding plate 192 with respect to book 40 so thatdifferent apertures 198 and 58 will come into play for each page of book40, thereby minimizing the likelihood that a child-user of toy 10 willmemorize the location of apertures 58 which constitute an appropriateresponse to the oral stimulus recorded on sound track means 22. Thus,the appropriateness of a particular response will be attested to by thefact that probe 56 passes through an aperture 58 and an aperture 198 andengages plate 118. The template 192 is connected to the arcuate member124 by a link 200 so that template 192 will be repositioned each timeindex arm 72 is indexed for the purpose of positioning needle 76 over adifferent sound band.

Referring now more in particular to FIGURES 4 and 5, the indexing arm 72includes a first end 202 which carries a depending cup 204 having anencompassing side wall 206 and a closed bottom wall 208 rotatablyreceived in a cup 210 which is affixed to bottom wall 142 for swingablymounting arm 72 in housing 140. The end 202 also carries an upstandingpost 212 which is spaced from the brackets 132, 134 for supporting aplate 214 in which actuating button 112 is mounted. The button 112includes a cylindrical portion 216 which extends into cup 204 and whichcarries a plate 218 receiving the upper end 220 of a compression spring222 having a lower end 224 bearing against bottom wall 208. The spring222 constitutes a return spring for button 112 biasing its flange 111into engagement with plate 214. The arm 72 also includes a second end226 which carries a finger 228 supporting end 226 on an arcuate, toothedrack 230 having a plurality of indexing teeth 232 provided thereon. Theteeth 232 are engageable by an indexing finger 234 swingably mounted onend 226 by a pivot pin 236 for indexing end 226 of arm 72 one tooth tothe right, as viewed in FIGURE 4, in the direction of arrow 238 eachtime finger 234 is swung in a counterclockwise direction by an actuatingrod 240. The rod 240 includes a first end 242 which is connected tofinger 234 and a second end 244 which is connected to one end 245 of abellcrank 246 having another end 247 pivotally connected to end 202 ofarm 72 by a pivot pin 248. A frusto-conical member 250 is provided onactuating button 112 for swinging bellcrank 246 about pivot pin 248 in acounterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 4, to pull finger 234through its indexing operation when button 112 is depressed. However,member 250 will not engage bellcrank 246 when button 112 is depressedunless a trigger 252 is first actuated to release bellcrank 246permitting it to move to a position where it is engageable by member250.

The trigger 252 includes a first end 254 which is pivotally connected toend 202 of arm 72 by a pin 256 and a second end 258 which is biaseddownwardly toward arm 72 by a spring 260 having a body portion 262encompassing pin 130, a first arm 264 bearing against plate 214 and asecond arm 266 bearing against end 258 of trigger 252. Trigger 252includes a lip 268 which is engaged by bellcrank 246 when end 258 oftrigger 252 is in its downwardly-biased position under the influence ofspring 260. Lip 268 may be lifted out of engagement with bellcrank 246by a rod 270 having a first end 272 extending through an aperture 274provided in trigger 252, an intermediate portion 275 teetered in abracket 276 and a looped end 278 extending beneath an actuating member280 (FIGURE 3) carried by plate 118. The actuating member 280 depresseslooped end 278 each time plate 118 is depressed causing rod 270 toteeter in bracket 276 so that end 272 of rod 270 will lift lip 268 outof engagement with crank 246 permitting it to move to a position whereit is engageable by member 250 when button 112 is depressed. Crank 246is pulled to this position through rod 240- and finger 234 by a spring282 having one end 284 (FIGURE 2) connected to finger 234 and anotherend 286 connected to arm 72 for indexing finger 234 one tooth to theright, as viewed in FIGURE 4, each time trigger 252 is lifted by rod270.

Arm 72 is automatically returned to a point of beginning after beingindexed past the last tooth 288 (FIG- URE 4) by a return spring 290having one end 292 connected to a lug 294 affixed to bottom wall 142 ofhousing and a second end 296 connected to a lug 298 carried by arm 72.When finger 234 is indexed past tooth 288, finger 234 rides up onto awire bail 299 carried by a bridge 300 supported above bottom wall 142 bya pair of posts 302, 304, The bridge 300 includes an arcuate top wall306 which is provided with an opening 308 adapted to receive finger 228when it is lifted by indexing finger 234 riding up onto bail 299. Thefingers 228 and 234 then ride across wall 306 to a slot 310 providedtherein and pass downwardly through slot 310 onto end 312 of arcuatemember 230. A stop member 314 is mounted on top wall 306 and extendsabove slot 310 to prevent fingers 228 and 234 from moving past slot 310.The indexing arm 72 is provided with an elongated slot 316 (FIGURE 3)through which needle 76 extends into engagement with recorded-rnessagecarrier means 14.

Referring now more in particular to FIGURES 2-5, the recorded-messagecarrier means 14 may conveniently comprise a phonograph record of thedisc type and may be rotated by a turntable 320 rotatably mounted inhousing 140 on a spindle 322 which is afiixed to bottom wall 142. Theturntable 320 is provided with a peripheral groove 324 receiving a belt326 trained about a pulley 328 aflixed to an output shaft 330 on anelectric motor 332 (FIGURE 2) which is provided in housing 140 forsupplying power to rotate turntable 320. Motor 332 is supported frombottom wall 142 by a rectangular box 334 and receives electric currentfrom a plurality of dry cells 336 through a first lead 338, which isconnected directly to the dry cells 336, and a second lead 340, which isconnected to dry cells 336 through a switching arrangement indicatedgenerally at 342 in FIGURE 2.

The switching arrangement 342 includes a first switch 344 which iscarried by indexing arm 72 and which will now be described in connectionwith FIGURE 6. The switch 344 is connected to arm 72 by a dielectricbracket 346 and includes a fixed contact 348 extending upwardly frombracket 346 adjacent a flexible contact 350 having an offset portion352. The flexible contact 350 may be sprung into engagement with thefixed contact 348 by a toggle 354 pivotally connected to a post 356(upstanding from arm 72) by a pivot pin 358. The toggle 354 includes afirst end 360 which is engaged by lifting lever 104 when button 112 isdepressed to lift speaker cone 80. This rotates toggle 354 in aclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 6, causing a finger 362(pivotally connected to end 364 of toggle 354 by a pivot pin 366) toengage offset portion 352 of contact 350. This engagement rotates finger362 about its pivot pin 366 preventing finger 362 from flexing contact350 into engagement with contact 348, A light return spring 368 thenrotates finger 362 in a clockwise direction until the end 370 of finger362 engages a hub 372 carried by toggle 354. When button 112 isreleased, lifting lever 104 is raised from end 360 of toggle 354permitting it to rotate in a counterclockwise direction under theinfluence of a spring 374 having a body portion 376 encompassing pin358, a first arm 378 engaging a stop member 380 carried by post 356 anda second arm 382 engaging pin 366. This counter clockwise rotationbrings finger 362 into engagement with offset portion 352 of contact350. Since hub 372 prevents finger 362 from rotating, finger 362 willflex contact 350 into engagement with contact 348 completing a circuitthrough a first electrical lead 384, which is connected to contact 348,and a second electrical lead 386, which is connected to contact 350. Asis shown schematically in FIGURE 2, the lead 386 is connected to an end388 of lead 340 which, in turn, is connected to a fixed contact 390 on aswitch 392. The lead 384 is connected to a lead 394 which, in turn, isfixed to a movable contact 396 on switch 392.

' The switch 392, which will now be described in connection with FIGURE7, automatically deenergizes motor 332 after turntable 320 has made 4%revolutions. The switch 392 is aflixed to bottom wall 142 of housing 140beneath turntable 320 adjacent a large-diameter gear 398 which isrotatably supported by bottom Wall 142 and which is driven by a piniongear 400 carried by spindle 322. The gear 398 carries a depending pin402 adapted to engage a switch-actuating lever 404 having a first end406 pivotally connected to bottom wall 142 by a pin 408 and a second end410 biased into engagement with contact 3. 6 by a spring 412 having abody portion 414 encompassing pin 408, a first arm 416 engaging a fixedpin 418 and a second arm 419 engaging lever 404. Pin 402 swings lever404 to a switch-opening position each time pinion gear 400 completes 4/2 revolutions. Switches 344 and 392 are included in parallel circuitsso that motor 332 may be energized by closing switch 344 when switch 392is open. Rotation of turntable 320 then moves pin 402 out of engagementwith lever 404 permitting spring 412 to swing lever 404 to aswitch-closing position.

Referring again to FIGURE 2, the switch arrangement 342 also includes athird switch 420 which is mounted inside the sensing means 54. Thesensing means 54 includes a cylindrical, hollow housing 422 having anencompassing side wall 424, an open bottom 426 and a closed top wall428. The probe 56 is reciprocally mounted in the housing 422 in adielectric bushing 430 which closes open end 426. Probe 56 includes acylindrical circuitclosing member 432 engageable with a pair of fixedcontacts 434, 436 to close switch 420 when probe 56 is moved in thedirection of an arrow 438 against the bias of a spring 440 having oneend 442 bearing against top wall 428 and another end 44 bearing againstthe cylindrical portion of probe 56. The spring 440 is stronger than thespring 182 (FIGURE 3) which supports plate 118 so that probe 56 maydepress plate 118 without closing switch 420.

The switching arrangement 342 also includes a first interlock or switch446 (FIGURES 2 and 4) having a fixed contact 448 and a movable contact450. The movable contact 450 lies in the path of travel of a cam 452depending from turntable 320. The contacts 448, 450 are aflixed tobottom wall 142 in such a position that cam 452 will open switch 446 byengaging movable contact 450 to take switch 420 out of the circuit tomotor 332 whenever beginning point 28 of sound track 22 is in playingposition under needle 76 so that the user of toy 10 cannot obtain anoral stimulus by sensing with probe 56. The switch 446 takes switch 420out of the circuit by connecting fixed contact 448 to lead 340 by a lead454 and by connecting movable contact 450 to contact 434 by a lead 456.The contact 436 in switch 420 is connected to a lead 457 by a lead 458.The lead 457 has a first end 460 connected to the dry cells 336 and asecond end 462 connected to a fixed contact 464 forming part of a secondinterlock 466 having a movable contact 468. Movable contact 468 may beengaged by cam 452 for taking switch 344 out of the circuit to motor 332whenever beginning point 34 of sound track means 24 is under thestarting position of needle 76 so that the user of toy 10 cannot obtainan oral reinforcer by pushing button 112. Switch 344 is taken out of thecircuit to motor 332 by a lead 470 having one end 472 connected tomovable contact 468 and a second end 474 connected to lead 384 fromswitch 344. Thus, the button 112 is effective to obtain only oralstimuli and the sensing means 54 is effective to obtain only oralreinforcers.

The top wall or plate 156 carries a speaker grill 476 (FIGURES 1 and 5)and is provided with an aperture 478 through which the button 112extends. The top wall 156 also carries a guide means 480 having a pairof side rails 482, 484 and an end rail 486 facilitating the properpositioning of book 40 on top panel 156. The guide means 480 may beaflixed to top panel 156 by suitable fastening means, such as the screwsshown at 488.

Operation of the toy 10 will now be described. Assuming that the toy 10has been preconditioned so that indexing arm 72 is over sound band 16and turntable 320 has been rotated to a position where beginning point28 for sound track means 22 is in a position to receive needle 76 afterit has been returned to its position over the outer periphery of soundband 16. In this position of the turntable 320, the cam 452 will haveopened switch 466 taking sensing means 54 out of the circuit to motor332. Thus, probing with probe 56 will be ineffective. Page 38 of book 40may then be positioned within guide means 480. Button 112 may then bedepressed swinging the second lifting lever 104 about its pivot pin tolift speaker 80 off of tone arm 68 so that it may be swung into positionover beginning point 28 by return spring 136. When button 112 isreleased, it will be returned to its raised position by spring 222causing finger 362 to close switch 344 completing a circuit to motor332. Turntable 320 is then rotated 4 /2 revolutions while soundreproducing means 12 reproduces a suitable oral stimulus. This stimulusmay be in the form of a question such as, Where is the dog?.

Switch 392 Will then be opened breaking the circuit to motor 332 so thatturntable will come to rest with the beginning point 34 of sound trackmeans 24 lying beneath the starting point for needle 76 when it is againreturned to the outer periphery of sound band 16. However, since tonearm 68 has not been returned, needle 76 is still at the end of soundtrack means 22. This is also the beginning point 30 for the second oralreinforcer. At this position of turntable 320, cam 452 opens switch 466taking switch 344 out of the circuit to motor 332 so that the child-usercannot energize motor 332 by pushing button 112 before he answers thequestion just asked. The childuser may energize motor 332, however, byusing sensing means 54 to probe for an answer to the question. Thechild-user may select the graphic portion 46 of graphic stimulus 36 byinserting probe 56 in the aperture 58 lying immediately adjacent graphicportion 46. Since this graphic portion is a picture of a dog, theaperture 58 associated therewith is aligned with an aperture 198 intemplate 192 so that probe 56 will penetrate to plate 118. Since spring440 in sensing means 54 is stronger than spring 182, plate 118 will bedepressed before switch 420 in sensing means 54 is closed. Depressing ofplate 118 causes lifting lever 98 to'lift speaker 80 permitting tone arm68 to return needle 76 to the outer periphery of sound band 16. As plate118 is depressed, actuating means 280 depresses looped end 278 of rod270 causing it to teeter in bracket 276 and lift trigger 252 out ofengagement with bellcrank 246. Spring 282 then indexes finger 234causing rod 240 to pull bellcrank 246 into position where it will beengaged by member 250 the next time button 112 is depressed.

Continued downward pushing on sensing means 54 after plate 118 has beendepressed causes probe 56 to overcome spring 440 so that switch 420 isclosed completing a circuit to motor 332. Since turntable 320 rotated 4/2 turns while asking the question, beginning point 34 of sound trackmeans 24 will be in position under needle 76 so that rotation ofturntable 320 by motor 332 will cause the sound reproducing means 14 toreproduce the first oral reinforcer informing the child-user of theappropriateness of his response. For example, the oral reinforcer maycomprise a suitable statement such as, Thats right. You are a goodchild. This message requires 4 /2 rotations of turntable 320 so that pin402 will swing lever 404 to a switch-opening position at this time fordeenergizing motor 332. Since turntable 320 rotated 4 /2 turns, cam 452has taken sensing means 54 out of the circuit to motor 332 and needle 76is resting at ending point 32 on sound track means 24. Button 112 maynow be depressed so that member 250 will index arm 72 into position oversound band 18. This also lifts speaker 80 so that tone arm 68 will bereturned to the outer periphery of sound band 18. The child-user maythen position page 44 within guide means 480 and release button 112 sothat switch 344 will close energizing motor 332 starting the next cycleof operation. It should be noted that the pages 38, 42 and 44 may beprovided with a plurality of correct responses to a particular questionso that child-user has more chances of receiving an appropriateresponse. It has been found that preschool children soon becomediscouraged if they do not obtain appropriate responses more often thaninappropriate responses when they first start using the toy 10. As thechildren advance, the number of correct responses may be reduced. Itshould also be noted that the oral reinforcer informing the user of theappropriateness of his response may also instruct him to insert a newpage from book 40 in guide means 480.

If the child-user responds to the question, Where is the dog? byinserting probe 56 into one of the other apertures 58, the probe 56 willnot pass through an aperture 198 in template 192. Thus, plate 118 willnot be depressed so that arm 72 will not be indexed the next time button112 is depressed. Nor will tone arm 68 be returned. Therefore, needle 76will remain on track means 22 at point 30, which is also the beginningpoint of the second oral reinforcer. Pressing probe 56 against template192 overcomes spring 440 in sensing means 54 so that switch 420 will beclosed completing a circuit to motor 332 for rotating turntable 320 toreproduce a suitable oral reinforcer informing the child-user of theinappropriateness of his response to the predetermined stimulicomprising the oral, discriminative stimulus in the form of thequestion, Where is the dog? and the graphic stimulus 36. This secondoral reinforcer may consist of a suitable statement, such as, No. Thatis wrong. This recorded message may also include feedback means forgiving the child-user a new oral, discriminative stimulus following theoral reinforcer. For example, this new oral, discriminative stimulus mayinclude additional information for aiding the child-user in makingappropriate responses when he operates the machine on a subsequentcycle. In any event, the child-user will be informed to try again bypushing button 112 returning tone arm 68 to the outer periphery of soundband 16. Since turntable 320 rotated 4 /2 times to ask the question and4 /2 times giving the oral reinforcer, starting point 28 of track means22 will again be in position under needle 76 so that the question willbe asked again.

Although the element 112 has been referred to herein as comprising anactuating button, the button 112 and the elements actuated thereby maybe considered as a first response means actuatable by a child-user toconnect the pickup means 62 to the recorded-message carrier means 14.

Referring now more in particular to FIGURES 9 and 10, a simpleinexpensive toy teaching machine constituting a second embodiment of thepresent invention, generally designated 10a, is identical to the toy 10except that the switch 392 is replaced by a double throw switch 392a, aswitch 500 has been added, the recorded-message carrier means 14 hasbeen replaced by a recorded-message carrier means 14a, the first andsecond lifting levers 98 and 104 have been eliminated and the electricalcircuit has been revised so that the motor 332 will be reversed when thechild-user probes an inappropriate response.

The recordedmessage carrier means 14a may comprise a disc-typephonograph record and may be provided with a plurality of sound bands,like the one shown at 16a in FIGURE 10. It should be noted that althoughthe presently preferred embodiments of this invention utilize mechanicalrecords and sound pick-up, the invention may be utilized with equivalentknown records and pick-ups, such as electromagnetic systems. The soundband 16a includes a first sound track means 22a having a beginning point28a on the outer periphery of sound band 16a, a second sound track means24a having a point of beginning 3411 corresponding to the ending pointfor the sound track means 22a and a third sound track means 26a,usingthe point of beginning 34a as its point of be ginning and having anending point corresponding to the point of beginning 28a for sound trackmeans 22a. The sound track means 22a and 24a may be played by rotatingrecorded-message carrier means 14a in a clockwise direc tion, asindicated by arrow 502 in FIGURE 10, and the sound track means 26a maybe played by rotating recorded-message carrier means 14a in acounterclockwise direction, as indicated by arrow 504. Rotation ofrecordedmessage carrier means 14a in a clockwise direction will besometimes referred to as rotation in a forward direction and rotation ina counterclockwise direction will be sometimes referred to as rotationin a reverse direction. Thus, the sound track means 24a constitutes acontinuation of the sound track means 22a and the sound track means 26ais interleaved with sound track means 22a and 24a having a point ofbeginning corresponding to the ending point of the sound track means 22aand the beginning point of the sound track means 24a and an ending pointat the periphery of sound band 16a at point 28a corresponding to thebeginning point for sound track means 22a. Recorded-message carriermeans 14a also includes a lead-in groove 506 for leading the needle 76into sound track means 26a when recorded-message carrier means 14a isreversed after having come to rest with needle 76 resting on point 34a.This arrangement of sound track means 22a, 24a and 26a eliminates theneed for returning needle 76 to the outer periphery of sound band 16a toplay a response to the question asked by sound track means 22a.

The switch 392a includes a pair of arms 508, 510 which are connected toa hub member' 512 which, in turn, is rotatably mounted in housing 140 ona pivot pin 514. The arm 508 carries a pair of electrical contacts 515,516 and may be moved to a switch-closing position by a solenoid 518having an armature 520 connected to arm 508. The arm 508 may be swung toa switch-opening position by the pin 402 provided on gear 398, describedin connection with the first embodiment. The gear 398 is driven by apinion gear 400a connected to turntable spindle 322, as in the previousembodiment. However, the pinion 400a has a different number of teeththan the pinion 400 so that pin 402 on gear 398 will open switch 392aafter 4 complete revolutions. The switch arm 510 also carries a pair ofcontacts, as shown at 522, 524 and is swung to a switch-closing positionby a solenoid 526 having an armature 528 connected to arm 510. Arm 510is adapted to be engaged by pin 402 for opening switch 392a after gear398 has been rotated four revolutions in the direction of arrow 504. Aspring clip 529 is mounted adjacent the free end 530 of each arm toprevent them from floating to a switch-closing position.

The contacts 515, 516 are adapted to close on contacts 532, 534,respectively, for connecting motor 332 in a circuit to dry cell means336 in such a manner that motor 332 will rotate turntable 320 in aforward direction. This circuit includes a lead 536 having an end 538connected to motor 332 and another end 539 connected to contact 534, alead 540 having a first end 542 connected to contact 532 and a secondend 544 connected to motor 332, a lead 546 having a first end 548connected to contact 515 and a second end 550 connected to the negativeside of dry cell means 336 and a lead 552 having a first end 554connected to contact 516 and a second end 556 connected to the positiveside of dry cell means 336.

The contacts 522 and 524 on arm 510 are engageable with contacts 558 and560, respectively, for connecting motor 332 in a circuit to dry cellmeans 336 in such a manner that motor 332 will rotate turntable 320 in areverse direction. This circuit includes a first lead 562 having a firstend 564 connected to contact 560 and a second end 566 connected to motor332 through end 538 of lead 536, a second lead 568 having a first end570 connected to contact 558 and a second end 572 connected to motor 332through end 544 of lead 540, a third lead 574 having a first end 576connected to contact 524 and a second end 578 connected to the negativeside of dry cell means 336 through lead 546 and a fourth lead 580 havinga first end 582 connected to contact 522 and a second end 584 connectedto the positive side of dry cell means 336 through lead 552.

The switch 500 includes a movable contact 586 which is carried by theactuator means 280 on plate 118 for engagement With a fixed contact 588when plate 118 is depressed by probing a correct answer with probe 56 onsen ing me ns 54. The contact 586 is connected to lead 546 by a lead 590and the contact 588 is connected to solenoid 518 by lead 592. Thesolenoid 518 is also connected to lead 552 by a lead 594. The switch 344is connected to the lead 590 by a lead 596 and to the lead 592 by a lead598 so that solenoid 518 will be energized to swing arm 508 to aswitch-closing position when switch 344 is closed, thereby completing acircuit to motor 332 through contacts 515, 516, 532 and 534.

The sensing means 54 includes the switch 420 described in connectionwith the first embodiment and has its contact 434 connected to solenoid526 by a lead 600 and its contact 436 connected to lead 546 by a lead602. Solenoid 526 is connected to lead 552 by a lead 604. Thisarrangement places switch 420 in a circuit to dry cell means 336 in sucha manner that solenoid 526 is energized to move arm 510 to aswitch-closing position when switch 420 is closed by probing anincorrect answer. Motor 332 then rotates in a reverse direction.

The manipulative steps for operating the second embodiment of thepresent invention are the same as those for operating the firstembodiment. For example, a childuser may position book 40 within guidemeans 480 on top panel 156 of housing and push button 112. Thiscompletes a circuit to motor 332 for rotating it in a forward directionso that a question will be asked. The child-user answers the question byprobing an aperture 58 in book 40. If the child-user selects the correctanswer, probe 56 passes through aperture 198 in template 192 anddepresses plate 118 without closing switch 420 because spring 440 insensing means 54 is stronger than spring 182 under plate 118. Depressingof plate 118 closes switch 500 again energizing motor 332 to rotate in aforward direction so that the question is answered by a continuation ofthe sound track carrying the question.

If the child-user selects an incorrect answer, probe 56 engages template192 so that switch 420 is closed. This energizes motor 332 for rotationin a reverse direction causing needle 76 to follow lead-in groove 506into sound track means 26a. The second oral reinforcer (constituting anegative reinforcement) is then reproduced by the sound reproducingmeans 12 informing the user of the inappropriateness of his response tothe predetermined stimuli comprising the oral, discriminative stimulusand the graphic stimulus.

Referring now more in particular to FIGURES 11-13, a simple, inexpensivetoy teaching machine constituting a third embodiment of the presentinvention, generally designated 10b, is substantially the same as thetoy 10 constituting the first embodiment of the present invention exceptthat the housing 140 is replaced by a housing 14% having a modified topplate 156b, the indexing arm 72 is replaced by a modified indexing arm72b, the reciprocable template 192 is eliminated and the mechanism forindexing the arm 72b is replaced by an indexing means 608 whichpositions indexing arm 72b on a modified indexing rack 2301) inaccordance with a notch 610 provided in a card 612 which replaces book40.

The modified plate 156b is provided with a plurality of apertures 198bpermitting probe 56 on sensing means 54 to engage plate 118 when probe56 is inserted into an aperture 58b in card 612 which is aligned with anaperture 198b. The card 612 may be positioned Within a guide means 480])which replaces the guide means 480 and which includes a pair of stops614, 616 engageable by the forward edge 618 of card 612 for locatingnotch 610 with respect to indexing means 608.

Indexing means 608 includes a finger 620 which is reciprocally mountedin an elongated slot 622 provided in top plate 156b and which includes afirst end 624 connecting finger 620 to arcuate member 124 on indexingarm 72b. The finger 620 also includes an end 626 which is bottomed outin notch 610 in card 612 by a spring 628 having a first end 630connected to finger 620 and a second end 632 connected to a tab 634depending from top plate 156b. The notch 610 in card 612 has a depthsuch that indexing arm 7212 will be positioned over the sound 13 bands16, 18 or 20 which is related to card 612 when finger 620 is bottomedout in notch 610.

A child-user may position a card 612 in guide means 48017. Thisautomatically positions indexing arm 72b over the appropriate soundband. The child-user may then depress button 112 energizing motor 332for rotating turntable 320 4 /2 turns so that sound reproducing means 12will reproduce the oral, discriminative stimulus recorded onrecorded-message carrier mean 14.

The child-user reacts to this stimulus by inserting probe 56 in. anaperture 58b. If the correct aperture 58b is selected, probe 56 alsopasses through aperture 198b into contact with plate 118 depressing it.This swings lifting lever 98 about pin 116 returning needle 76 in themanner described in connection with the first embodiment. A circuit isthen completed through sensing means 54 in the manner described inconnection with the embodiment to again energize motor 332 for rotatingturntable 320 4V2 revolutions to play the first oral reinforcer.

If the child-user selects an incorrect answer, probe 56 will engage topplate 156b closing a circuit to motor 332 without first returning theneedle 76 so that the second reinforcer will be played, as more fullydescribed in connection with the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

While the particular toy teaching machine herein shown and described indetail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing theadvantages hereinbefore stated, it isto be understood that they aremerely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of theinvention and that no limitations are intended to the details ofconstruction or design herein shown other than as defined in theappended claims, which form a part of this disclosure.

What is claimed is:

1. A toy teaching machine having oral stimuli and oral reinforcers,comprising:

(A) means for reproducing recorded sounds, said sound reproducing meansincluding means positionable adjacent a recorded-message carrier meansto pick up sounds recorded thereon in a selected sound band;

(B) recorded-message carrier means having a plurality of sound bandsthereon, each sound band comprising:

(a) first sound track means having an oral, discriminative stimulusrecorded thereon;

(b) second sound track means having a first oral reinforcer recordedthereon for informing a user of said toy of the appropriateness of hisresponse to predetermined stimuli; and

(c) third sound track means having a second oral reinforcer recordedthereon for informing said user of the inappropriateness of his responseto said predetermined stimuli;

(C) means removably positioned on said machine adjacent sensing meansthereon and presenting a graphic stimulus having a plurality of graphicportions relating to said selected sound band and selection meansadjacent each graphic portion, at least one of said selection meanscomprising an appropriate response and at least one an inappropriateresponse, said graphic stimulus and said oral stimulus comprising saidpredetermined stimuli;

(D) said sensing means being arranged for sensing selection of at leastone of said selection means; and

(E) means responsive to said sensing means for causing said pick-upmeans to pick up the sounds from one of said oral reinforcers of saidselected sound band, said responsive means comprising:

(a) first energizing means operatively associating said pick-up meanswith said second sound track means when said user makes an appropriateresponse; and

(b) second energizing means operatively associating said pick-up meanswith said third sound track means when said user makes an inappropriateresponse.

2. A teaching machine as stated in claim 1 including a first responsemeans actuatable by said user to connect said pick-,up means to saidfirst sound track means.

3. A teaching machine as stated in claim 1 including an electric motorfor driving said recorded-message carrier means.

4. -A teaching machine as stated in claim 1 wherein saidrecorded-message carrier means comprises a disctype phonograph record.

5. YA teaching machine as stated in claim 3 wherein said presentingmeans includes card means having said graphic portions displayed thereonin the form of pictures, said card means provided with an apertureadjacent each picture, said sensing means including probe meansinsertable .through said apertures, said energizing means includingswitch means actuatable by said probe means for energizing said motor.

6. teaching machine as stated in claim 5 wherein said recorded-messagecarrier means comprises a disctype phonograph record, wherein said firstsound track means has a point of beginning adjacent the outer peripheryof said record, wherein said third sound track means constitutes acontinuation of said first sound track means, wherein said second soundtrack means is interleaved with said first sound track means and has apoint of beginning adjacent the periphery of said record around saidperiphery from said point of beginning for said first sound track means,wherein said sound pick-up means includes a phonograph needle engageablewith said sound track means, wherein said teaching machine includesmeans for deenergizing said motor each time it rotates said record apredetermined number of revolutions followed by a half revolution,wherein said probe means is reciprocally mounted in said sensing means,said probe means having a depressed position Where it engages a switchfor completing a circuit to said motor, said probe means being biased toan extended position by a spring means exerting a predetermined force onsaid probe means and wherein said first and second energizing meanscomprise:

return spring means connected to said pick-up means for returning saidneedle to the outer periphery of said record when said needle is liftedout of engagement with said record, whereby said needle will bepositioned adjacent said starting point for said second sound trackmeans;

lifting lever means operatively associated with said pick-up means forlifting said needle out of engagement with said record; plate meansoperatively associated with said lifting lever for actuating saidlifting lever to lift said needle, said plate means being positionedunder said apertures in the path of travel of said probe means;

compression spring means supporting said plate means, whereby said platemeans may be depressed when engaged by said probe means, saidcompression spring means being compressed with less force than thatrequired to overcome said spring in said sensing means; and

template means positioned between said apertures and said plate means,said template means being provided with a template opening which isaligned with the aperture in said card means corresponding to anappropriate response to said oral stimulus, whereby said probe meanswill pass through said template means into engagement with said platemeans when an appropriate response is made and will be obstructed bysaid template means when an inappropriate response is made.

7. A teaching machine as stated in claim 5 wherein said motor isreversible, wherein said third sound track means is interleaved withsaid first and second sound track means, said second sound track meansconstituting 15 a continuation of said first sound track means, whereinsaid record includes lead-in groove means connecting the common endingpoint for said first sound track means and the beginning point for saidsecond sound track means with the beginning point of said third soundtrack means, whereby said third sound track means may be played byreversing the direction of rotation of said record and wherein saidfirst and second energizing means comprise: first electrical switchmeans connected to said motor for rotating said record in a firstdirection to play said second sound track means; means connected to saidfirst electrical switch means for closing it only when an appropriateresponse is made; and second switch means connected to said probe meansfor reversing said electric motor only when an inappropriate response ismade.

8. A teaching machine as stated in claim 6 wherein said phonographrecord is provided with a plurality of sound bands each having saidfirst, second and third sound track meansprovided thereon, wherein saidsound reproducing means; is mounted on a swingable indexing arm andwherein said machine includes means for indexing said arm to positionsaid soundreproducing means adjacent predetermined sound bands.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,255,536 6/1966 Livingston 35-93,376,657 4/1968 Dorsett 35-9 3,408,749 11/ 1968 Brudner 359 W. H.GRIEB, Assistant Examiner EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner

